Spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects of constituents from Hertia cheirifolia.

A sesquiterpenoid Bakkenolide (1), and two steroids, (3beta, 22E)-Stigmasta-5, 22-diène-3-ol (Stigmasterol) (2) and stigmasterol 3beta-glucoside (3), isolated from the Hertia cheirifolia (L.) chloroform extract, were evaluated respectively for their spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory activities. We note that these natural products were isolated and purified for the first time from the specie Hertia cheirifolia. Their structures have been established by spectroscopy (1 and 2D NMR experiences) and mass spectrometry. Chloroform-, ethyl acetate- and methanol-extracts were also tested for their spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory activities. Spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory screening were based respectively on the contractile response effects on rat isolated smooth muscles and on the dose-related carrageenan induced paw edema in rats. screening of the crude extracts showed spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory positive results. The antispasmodic effect of Bakkenolide was found in the same range as that of Alverine, a standard musculotropic spasmolytic agent.